DO with a 30+ MCAT and >3.5 GPA

[Darwinism]

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I applied this year to both MD and DO schools. I have a 30 on my mcat, and a 3.7 gpa, two research positions, over 2000 hours clinical, volunteered for hospice for two years. I was not admitted to one MD school. However, I have four misdemeanors from when I was a teenager (ten years ago). So my question.....Is it the misdemeanors??? Im not too upset however, as I am admitted to one of the best DO schools. But still, what do you think?

 

[99redballoons]

Tough call. I think it would depend on how you explained the misdemeanors. Also, a 30 MCAT and 3.7 GPA isn't really a diamond in the rough. No offense, there is a pretty large number of applicants with similar stats. Side by side they look better, or at least more friendly. There is something to be said for having your head on your shoulders from day 1.

 

[Thriller]

I had a 31 on the mcat with a 3.5 gpa, am at a DO school and proud of it. One of my good friends here had a 34 on the mcat. DO is not for the dumb, it's for the thousands of qualified premeds that MD schools didn't have enough room for, or for those few who wanted a different approach to medical education, or one of another myriad reasons. Embrace your future degree or wait and reapply next year to MD schools, whatever tickles your fancy.

 

[Darwinism]

I also forgot to mention, I have 5 published abstracts, and two personal letters of rec from physicians I work with.

 

[99redballoons]

I had a 31 on the mcat with a 3.5 gpa, am at a DO school and proud of it. One of my good friends here had a 34 on the mcat. DO is not for the dumb, it's for the thousands of qualified premeds that MD schools didn't have enough room for, or for those few who wanted a different approach to medical education, or one of another myriad reasons. Embrace your future degree or wait and reapply next year to MD schools, whatever tickles your fancy.

👍👍👍👍👍 +1

 

[JaggerPlate]

You're an excellent candidate ...

1. Did you disclose the misdemeanors on AMCAS or in a lot of secondaries? Getting a ticket for underage drinking a few years back is one thing, but 4 misdemeanors (convictions? dimissals? what was the nature of these crimes?) is something entirely different.

2. It could be the way you interview (no offense)

3. I'd personally be happy just to be in (coming from someone else in the 30+ MCAT club) and run with it

4. If the admission process teaches us anything, it's that it's a cold, random, unpredictable beast, and expecting anything is ill advised in my opinion. I wish someone would have told me that a few years back.

Anyway ... I'd look toward the future (and I'd probably look into what you can do about some of these misdemeanors, as you'll now need to explain them during every background check for rotations, internship, residency, fellowship, applying for a state license, etc).

 

[NK1Positive]

👍👍👍👍👍 +1

Ill 3rd that.. 30, 3.7 1 pub (PAIN) 1 poster (SFN)... DO schools can also give you an "in" to a certain location.. Right now FL>MN glad I did what I did...

 

[Colbare]

The Caribbean offers MD degrees and could care less if you had a thousand misdemeanors

 

[JaggerPlate]

The Caribbean offers MD degrees and could care less if you had a thousand misdemeanors

You'd have to operate at a Dexter Morgan level to get 1,000 misdemeanors! 😉

 

[armydocUM]

Agreed with above posters. I am a 31 MCAT and 3.8 GPA from a very solid undergrad program. I applied to both MD and DO, but am currently only holding a DO acceptance. I will be taking my DO option barring any significant waitlist movement, and am very happy to have the opportunity.

 

[Darwinism]

Don't get me wrong guys, I know that DO =/= dumb...far from it, however, I am the kind of person who
Gets sick of defending my education repeatedly to laypeople and cocky MDs

 

[Colbare]

You'd have to operate at a Dexter Morgan level to get 1,000 misdemeanors! 😉

Haha, or could that be a Sgt Doakes level if you're getting so many accusations? I've only seen the first 2 seasons so I could be wrong but don't tell me!

 

[99redballoons]

Don't get me wrong guys, I know that DO =/= dumb...far from it, however, I am the kind of person who
Gets sick of defending my education repeatedly to laypeople and cocky MDs

There is nothing to defend man. Its a different means to the same end. Tell them to **** off and be done with it. 😀

 

[NK1Positive]

Don't get me wrong guys, I know that DO =/= dumb...far from it, however, I am the kind of person who
Gets sick of defending my education repeatedly to laypeople and cocky MDs

I'm in a geriatrics clinic every other week working w/ 2 MDs. On my white coat I've got the AOA DO pin and I introduce myself to EVERY patient as a osteopathic student physician and NOT once have I EVER had to "defend" my education... To me, that idea of having to "defend your education" all the time is mostly "hogwash" ingrained in Premeds minds by other premeds...

 

[DocEspana]

Don't get me wrong guys, I know that DO =/= dumb...far from it, however, I am the kind of person who
Gets sick of defending my education repeatedly to laypeople and cocky MDs

I deal with all the other new york medical schools all the time. If you want a group of people who could be cocky and prejudice as hell it'd be them. Yet, they aren't. They're totally understanding, get it, and are like brothers and sisters to me. The people who don't get it are a minority. Sure you'll run into them but you run into so many more elitely qualified people who completely treat you as an equal, that the random superiority complex people don't phase you anymore.

as for lay person? Eh, memorize a sentence you like to explain it. My personal advice is "It's the same exact thing as an MD, we just have some physical therapy-like techniques as part of our curriculum ontop of regular medical school."

 

[armydocUM]

Yeah I don't think you should waist your time defending your profession to anyone so close-minded anyway. Most of the "cocky MDs" you speak of are either still in med school or are trying to compensate for something by hiding behind their title. Good physicians rarely care what your title is, especially since healthcare is becoming more of a team effort nowadays

 

[LesBois88]

Don't get me wrong guys, I know that DO =/= dumb...far from it, however, I am the kind of person who
Gets sick of defending my education repeatedly to laypeople and cocky MDs

I thought this might have been a concern as well when I entered an osteopathic school.
Turns out, you never have to explain it. People just know you're a physician in training.

 

[JaggerPlate]

Don't get me wrong guys, I know that DO =/= dumb...far from it, however, I am the kind of person who
Gets sick of defending my education repeatedly to laypeople and cocky MDs

Eh, the reality of the situation is that you won't have to defend it outside SDN, but honestly, if you want the MD and will always have a bit of an issue with the DO, or whatever, then go for it. Personally, I'd take the DO and run with it. This bird in the hand is worth a freaking tree of Eagles ... but it's your call, and no one is going to judge you for it if it's what you want (getting the MD). Good luck.

 

[Darwinism]

I don't care much, because I know that the education is equal. I've already been admitted to one of the top DO schools. I'm over it. Im done withn this nonsense of md vs do. Thanks

 

[JaggerPlate]

I don't caregiver much, because I know that the education is equal. I've already been admitted to one irvine top DO schools. I'm over it, and you guys helped me realize the nonsense of md vs do. Thank you

Irvine DO school?

I could have gone to DO school 10 minutes from home??? Damn!!!

 

[Sinfest]

Irvine DO school?

I could have gone to DO school 10 minutes from home??? Damn!!!

From his post I think we can all safely deduce that Darwinism is a time-traveler from some time before the 1960's 😱

 

[patel2]

Haha, or could that be a Sgt Doakes level if you're getting so many accusations? I've only seen the first 2 seasons so I could be wrong but don't tell me!

Keep watching. Season 4 is the best (by far)...John lithgow blew me away

 

[JaggerPlate]

From his post I think we can all safely deduce that Darwinism is a time-traveler from some time before the 1960's 😱

Roads ?? Where we're going, we don't need roads.

 

[painmd87]

I don't caregiver much, because I know that the education is equal. I've already been admitted to one irvine top DO schools. I'm over it, and you guys helped me realize the nonsense of md vs do. Thank you

Are you posting from an iPad/iPhone?? Looks like Autocorrect Strikes Back!

 

[Darwinism]

Are you posting from an iPad/iPhone?? Looks like Autocorrect Strikes Back!

Stupid iPhone
Do all DO schools start in the summer? I start in June.

 

[Darwinism]

Keep watching. Season 4 is the best (by far)...John lithgow blew me away

John Lithgow is an absolute psychopath. Easily the best season.

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

Stupid iPhone
Do all DO schools start in the summer? I start in June.

Wow, I thought I was starting early at the tail end of July

 

[Colbare]

Keep watching. Season 4 is the best (by far)...John lithgow blew me away

I've heard that several times so I'm excited to plow through season 3 to get there. It's a battle between reading The DOs by Gevitz and watching Dexter haha, the episodes are so long but really good!

 

[thumbz]

Roads ?? Where we're going, we don't need roads.

this made me LOL like a schoolgirl on a sugar high. Thanks for the day brightener.

And you guys should read the dexter books, theyre easily as good as the show and I love the show

Edit: Ugh yes I agree with DocEspana below me. The supernatural angle sucked, I kind of blocked it out and didnt think of it when I wrote this post. Needless to say I havent read the most recent book cause the one before it was really bad

 

[DocEspana]

this made me LOL like a schoolgirl on a sugar high. Thanks for the day brightener.

And you guys should read the dexter books, theyre easily as good as the show and I love the show

taking this tangent even further: the dexter books get *really* strange (also know as "bad") after a few books. It takes a supernatural turn and ehh.... couldn't get back into it after that. thankfull the show hasnt taken that same plot turn (so far)

 

[Goro]

Could be...10 years ago is a long time. But we've rejected people not for the misdemeanors, but the attitude towards them (ie, "it wasn't my fault"). Not owning up to past mistakes is a major sin in our eyes.

Keep in mind it's a competetive year for btoh MD and DO schools. Your stats would NOT get you admitted into a lot of schools.

But, you're in! And you're going to be a doctor in 4 years. Good luck!

So my question.....Is it the misdemeanors??? Im not too upset however, as I am admitted to one of the best DO schools. But still, what do you think?

 

[Darwinism]

Could be...10 years ago is a long time. But we've rejected people not for the misdemeanors, but the attitude towards them (ie, "it wasn't my fault"). Not owning up to past mistakes is a major sin in our eyes.

Keep in mind it's a competetive year for btoh MD and DO schools. Your stats would NOT get you admitted into a lot of schools.

But, you're in! And you're going to be a doctor in 4 years. Good luck!

I agree, however, this does not reflect my attitude at all. I told them I was young and immature and made some very poor decisions. I also told them I don't regret them because they shaped my character and made me who I am today. A felony, DUI's, drug related or violent offenses would be a completely different story. I think that for someone who had no guidance as a teenager and put myself through college while working full time and turned my entire life around for the better, should be looked at as a role model! You can't sum up a man by looking at actions he made as a teenager. And as for my stats, sure they are not good enough to NOT get into a lot of schools, but they are def good enough TO get into a lot of schools as well. However, I dont want to sound cocky because I am not at all, and I am very happy to be entering DO school soon. I was just wondering how heavily the misdemeanors weighed my application down, thats all. But I appreciate the input from everyone. Thank you.

 

[ArcArsenal]

I have a 3.5 and just under 30 mcat. My combined scores from both mcats were above 30, but i went up in phys (hadn't taken physics, and studied like crazy) but forgot to review organic because of the rush of school/work/mcat and went down in bio.

i got an MD interview, waitlist and 2 DO interviews. I applied extremely late (problem getting required LOR: professor retired and couldn't track him down and I took almost half my science curriculum classes with him)

if you want to become a DO, apply DO.

If you want to become an MD, inquire about why you were rejected. I just walked in to a deane's office and made an appointment...
got a lot of good info,specifically "you would be a great candidate, but you applied late and most of our interview spots were already full"

I still got an interview 😀

 

[jl13]

barring being pulled off waitlist last minute, Ill be in this DO boat with a 30, >3.5. Being from California sucks!

o well, there are thousands of others that would take our DO spots in a second. Be grateful we got in somewhere!

 

[shinbeats]

barring being pulled off waitlist last minute, Ill be in this DO boat with a 30, >3.5. Being from California sucks!

o well, there are thousands of others that would take our DO spots in a second. Be grateful we got in somewhere!

If I had the chance I would rip that DO spot out of your hand for myself 😍

 

[JaggerPlate]

barring being pulled off waitlist last minute, Ill be in this DO boat with a 30, >3.5. Being from California sucks!

I guess living in paradise had to bite us in the ass sometime. I mean, pros and cons though ... 20 + years in CA > state school acceptance + living in a place where it snows a lot for 20 years???

One of the great questions of our pre-med time. I wonder if there has ever been a gunner who has moved to a certain state preemptively to 'increase their chances.'

I do find it funny though when people talk about 'guaranteed' interviews at their state schools, when places like UCLA have what ... a 35 MCAT average??

 

[Longshanks]

I do find it funny though when people talk about 'guaranteed' interviews at their state schools, when places like UCLA have what ... a 35 MCAT average??

I feel the same way after my experience in NY this cycle lol. Fine, the SUNY's don't have 35 averages, but they're still more competitive than most other state schools, and unlike most other state schools, accept around 1/3 out of state. So it's a similar problem as the UC's: strong in-state competition which is compounded by strong OOS applicants due to location.

 

[JaggerPlate]

I feel the same way after my experience in NY this cycle lol. Fine, the SUNY's don't have 35 averages, but they're still more competitive than most other state schools, and unlike most other state schools, accept around 1/3 out of state. So it's a similar problem as the UC's: strong in-state competition which is compounded by strong OOS applicants due to location.

Yeah, NY is in the same boat (IMO). It's just nuts to think that the UCs are supposed to be CAs the equivalent (admissions wise) of other state schools. I have a friend with perfect GPA, outstanding publications (seriously impressive for an undergrad) and a near 40 MCAT who interviewed at Harvard, JHU, and Michigan - Ann Arbor, but was flat out REJECTED from several UC schools. Like he made an arbitrary cut off for secondaries and then got the 'thanks, but no thanks ... good luck.'

 

[JaggerPlate]

I feel the same way after my experience in NY this cycle lol. Fine, the SUNY's don't have 35 averages, but they're still more competitive than most other state schools, and unlike most other state schools, accept around 1/3 out of state. So it's a similar problem as the UC's: strong in-state competition which is compounded by strong OOS applicants due to location.

You know where you're headed yet, by the way??? PM me if you want. Just curious and thought I'd probably forget if I didn't ask now.

 

[Sinfest]

I do find it funny though when people talk about 'guaranteed' interviews at their state schools, when places like UCLA have what ... a 35 MCAT average??

Funny and sad at the same time. I'm sure we can expect the first class at UCR-SOM and UCM-SOM to have ridiculously high matriculant GPA/MCAT averages even though they will be new and in two of the crappiest parts of CA.

 

[JaggerPlate]

Funny and sad at the same time. I'm sure we can expect the first class at UCR-SOM and UCM-SOM to have ridiculously high matriculant GPA/MCAT averages even though they will be new and in two of the crappiest parts of CA.

Without a doubt. However, I've heard that because CA is so beyond broke that they're having some trouble legitimately getting off the ground.

 

[Sinfest]

Without a doubt. However, I've heard that because CA is so beyond broke that they're having some trouble legitimately getting off the ground.

Yeah, I've heard the same. I think UCR-SOM will be on this years AMCAS though.

 

[JaggerPlate]

Yeah, I've heard the same. I think UCR-SOM will be on this years AMCAS though.

That's interesting. I hope they don't mess with Western's rotation sites (rumor I heard a while ago regarding Arrowhead Regional).

 

[MRSAful Fate]

I've got a 32, >3.5 GPA, decent other stuff on my app and I'm going to be going DO most likely (I'm on an MD waitlist). I only applied to one DO school, but that's not to say I have any problem going this route. I'm stoked to go to medical school regardless.

 

[patel2]

I feel the same way after my experience in NY this cycle lol. Fine, the SUNY's don't have 35 averages, but they're still more competitive than most other state schools, and unlike most other state schools, accept around 1/3 out of state. So it's a similar problem as the UC's: strong in-state competition which is compounded by strong OOS applicants due to location.

this. I'd rather have one average state that has like a 29 MCAT average, and gives 50%+ of residents interviews. SUNY averages are high; like 3.8/32-33 and the large OOS acceptances is BS...it's our taxdollars! Dey tuk ouuuur spots!

 

[ChemMed]

Eh, the reality of the situation is that you won't have to defend it outside SDN, but honestly, if you want the MD and will always have a bit of an issue with the DO, or whatever, then go for it. Personally, I'd take the DO and run with it. This bird in the hand is worth a freaking tree of Eagles ... but it's your call, and no one is going to judge you for it if it's what you want (getting the MD). Good luck.

Loved this. I'm going to use this with one of my lab mates I'm teaching slang to.

 

[JaggerPlate]

Loved this. I'm going to use this with one of my lab mates I'm teaching slang to.

Hahaha. Sweet.

 

[OMG Lizards]

I guess living in paradise had to bite us in the ass sometime. I mean, pros and cons though ... 20 + years in CA > state school acceptance + living in a place where it snows a lot for 20 years???

One of the great questions of our pre-med time. I wonder if there has ever been a gunner who has moved to a certain state preemptively to 'increase their chances.'

I do find it funny though when people talk about 'guaranteed' interviews at their state schools, when places like UCLA have what ... a 35 MCAT average??

LOL, moved from Long Beach, CA to West Virginia 3 years ago to finish undergrad. WV has 3 med schools and only about ~250 instate applicants a year for ALL THREE!

Got an MD and DO acceptance. Never would have got that in CA with a mid 20 MCAT. I know a guy with a 34 and excellent EC's that took two cycles to get in a CA MD.

WV is totally chill. It's like Riverside County with trees and moonshine.

 

[Sinfest]

LOL, moved from Long Beach, CA to West Virginia 3 years ago to finish undergrad. WV has 3 med schools and only about ~250 instate applicants a year for ALL THREE!

Got an MD and DO acceptance. Never would have got that in CA with a mid 20 MCAT. I know a guy with a 34 and excellent EC's that took two cycles to get in a CA MD.

WV is totally chill. It's like Riverside County with trees and moonshine.

Oh my 😱

 

[munchymanRX]

LOL, moved from Long Beach, CA to West Virginia 3 years ago to finish undergrad. WV has 3 med schools and only about ~250 instate applicants a year for ALL THREE!

Got an MD and DO acceptance. Never would have got that in CA with a mid 20 MCAT. I know a guy with a 34 and excellent EC's that took two cycles to get in a CA MD.

WV is totally chill. It's like Riverside County with trees and moonshine.

+ infinity points for using Riverside, trees, and moonshine in the same sentence.